Looking for Eye Care Near Coquitlam Centre? Here's What You Should Know Before Booking

 If we assume you’ve been searching for other anything other than just care, optometrist, and searches about eye care towards Coquitlam Center, you are trusting us with the care of your most valuable possession which is your eye sight. Are your glasses starting to look off, are your kids in the back seat of the car struggling to see the whiteboard, or just wondering why you and your kids have still not done eye exams for a few years and are now overdue for one?

Don't worry about why, you are here for the right one. This is everything you are looking for to aid you with finding eye care in the Coquitlam region and is one of the many reasons Haven Optometry has been the first to call for many Tri-Cities residents.

What Does "Eye Care Near Coquitlam Centre" Actually Mean?

The Tri-Cities’ busiest shopping, errand, and daily activity hub is Coquitlam Centre, and naturally, Tri-Cities residents look for local eye care as part of their routine because they have a lot to do there.

However, the best eye care is not necessarily in the mall. The best eye care is outside, in optometry practices with more space and less of a time-crunch that know you more as a patient and less as a number, and that also provide the most focused, comprehensive, and personalized care.

Haven Optometry is an excellent example, with a location at 2540 Shaughnessy Street, just a drive from Coquitlam Centre Eye Care. Serving patients in all of Tri-Cities, as well as Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Pitt Meadows, and Maple Ridge means they get a lot of commuter traffic.

What Should You Actually Expect From a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

The common assumption is that eye exams are about reading letters, but that couldn't be more false. Patients should be aware that there is much more value to an eye exam and optometrists have an extensive evaluation system to check the health of their patients.

At Haven Optometry, Dr. Gwendolyn Wong performs comprehensive eye exams that typically take around 45 minutes.

Some of the tasks included in these exams are:

1. Vision and Prescription - Determining visual acuity and how access to glasses/contacts may change that.

2. Assessment of Internal Eye Health - Indicates presence of cataracts, glaucoma, and other eye diseases.

3. Assessment of Eye Movement and Coordination - Also helps to assess visual and muscular coordination. This is especially important in children.

4. Peripheral Health Assessment - Indicates presence of high blood pressure, diabetes, and can show evidence of other health issues.

Many patients are surprised to find out that eye health exams can show evidence of conditions that may previously have seemed asymptomatic. This is why everyone is encouraged to have annual eye exams.

How Often Should You Be Getting Your Eyes Checked?

This is one of the FAQs we receive, and the answer is tricky because it really depends on the specifics of your individual situation.

For most adults, a visit once a year would suffice, but a person over 65, a person with diabetes, a person with a family history of glaucoma, and a person who's had prior eye problems would need to visit an optometrist more regularly. Children, on the other hand, should have their first eye exam at 6 months and their next at age 3. After age 3, they should be attending every eye exam at 3 year intervals. The BC Association of Optometrists further expands on these intervals by providing that children should have an eye exam every year after they start school.

Eye problems are often found in children because children aren't aware of the ‘normal’ or ‘correct’ way of seeing, meaning they assume everyone sees in the same way they do. Children can often be misdiagnosed with learning problems, or problems functioning in a school setting, when in fact they have undetected vision problems. Eye exams are one of the ‘easiest’ things parents can do to help their children progress in school.

The ruling in BC is also on the optometrist side in that eye exams to children under 19 years of age is a benefit that is extended by the BC Medical Services Plan.

Contact Lenses — Not as Complicated as You Might Think

For those who have worn glasses their entire lives but are curious about contacts, a contact lens evaluation is an ideal first step. These evaluations differ from standard eye exams and instead hone in on which lenses, how they will fit, and the best care options for your eyes going forward.

Many people think contacts may never be an option for them due to dry eyes, an uncommonly seen prescription, or a previously bad experience, and for a long time, that was mostly true. Thankfully, contact lens technologies have advanced a long way since then. There are now contact lenses for people with dry eyes, for people with astigmatism, for people who prefer to use disposable lenses that only last one day, and even bifocal contact lenses.

If you're curious about using contacts for the first time, one of the first available options is a contact lens fit evaluation. Dr. Wong also provides contact lens training for new contact lens wearers. Being contact lens wearers involves a large amount of care and learning how to insert and remove the lenses. Contact lens technology has come such a long way that now being a contact lens wearer and care is very simple and safe. Having training from Dr. Wong provides a great amount of comfort for new contacts users while getting used to the new technology.

What About Urgent Eye Care?

Most of the time, people don’t think of the unexpected. Eye issues may be a sudden red eye, an unwanted foreign body in the eye., flashes, or new floaters. Some of these problems may feel dangerous and can be.

Haven Optometry takes care of these problems with medical urgent exams. You shouldn’t wait when your vision changes, when your eyes hurt, or just feel off. Retinal detachment and acute angle-closure glaucoma things are emergencies. Things like this are better when they are caught sooner.

When in doubt of making an urgent appointment, it is better to be safe and make the call. A short call will help you to know if you need to make an immediate trip, or if you can wait and make a trip later.

Why Patients Near Coquitlam Centre Choose Haven Optometry

There are many places to get your eyes checked in the Tri-Cities area, and you have a solid variety to choose from. However, there are things that certain patients will comment on that make them choose us over the others.

First on the list is the speedy flow of the appointments. Dr. Gwendolyn Wong makes sure that you have her full attention during your appointment. There is no question that is unanswered, and no explanation of the eyes and the options is unclear before you leave.

Second is the patient-friendly environment. Dr. Gwendolyn Wong built Haven Optometry to be a calming and welcoming environment and that is exactly what she has accomplished.

Third spot goes to the direct billing to Extended Health Plans. Because we direct bill to most extended health insurance plans, you do not need to hassle with money before your appointment is finished.

Lastly, the location on Shaughnessy Street in Port Coquitlam is, believe it or not, the best and easiest place to get to from all over the Tri-Cities area, and the no hassle parking is a bonus.

A Quick Note on Glasses and Eyewear

Should you find yourself needing glasses after your exam, don't fret; Haven's got your back. With an array of stylish frames, an enjoyable, fashionable option is available for your prescription needs. Recognizing that glasses have transitioned from a simple medical aid to a daily fashion accessory, doing the due diligence to find the right frames for your style and face is paramount.

With a combination of skill and expertise, the Haven team is capable of customizing something just for you to ease your daily grind. With options for various frames, coatings, and effects, full customization is available at your convenience.

Ready to Book?

Whether you've been looking for eye care near Coquitlam Centre for yourself, your kids, or your whole family — Haven Optometry is close by and ready to help.Dr. Gwendolyn Wong and the Haven team serve the entire Tri-Cities area, and booking is simple through the online portal.

Your vision is worth looking after properly. Book your exam today — it takes less than a minute, and your eyes will thank you.